Open Sessions Set for Meeting Provost Finalists

Campus and public invited to sessions on March 5, 7, 18 and 22.

Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato announced today that four finalists have been named for the position of Provost & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The four finalists are Julio Blanco, associate provost at California State University, Bakersfield; Gersham Nelson, dean, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Central Missouri; Lance Grahn, professor and former provost & dean of faculty/vice president for academic affairs, University of Central Arkansas; and Marilyn Wells, vice provost & graduate dean, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

A national search for a new provost began in May after Scott Olson, provost & vice president of academic affairs, announced that he was accepting the position of president at Winona State University effective July 16. Olson had served as Minnesota State Mankato’s provost since 2003. After Olson’s departure, Linda Baer was appointed interim vice president of academic and student affairs and has served in that role since July 17.

Each of the finalists will travel to Minnesota State Mankato for on-campus interviews between March 5 and March 22. Open interview sessions for the campus, public and media are listed below.